Diabetes Remission Possible with Diet, Exercise

Ok, first I know this is going to get flak, so just be patient and read the article before you jump on the "no cure" is possible speech. This is talking about remission (Remission (medicine), the state of absence of disease activity in patients with a chronic illness, with the possibility of return of disease activity.) which is not a cure (A cure is the end of a medical condition; the substance or procedure that ends the medical condition, such as a medication, a surgical operation, a change in lifestyle, or even a philosophical mindset that helps end a person's suffering. It may also refer to the state of being healed, or cured.), but the ability to control your diabetes and possibly do it without meds.

I am not advocating that you jump in, dump your doctor and loose all reason. But read this a see just how much we really can do for ourselves to get ourselves in a better place health wise.

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By Dr. Mercola

It has taken decades, but medical professionals are finally starting to give diet and exercise for the prevention and reversal of type 2 diabetes some well-deserved attention.

"… the new study can give people with the disease hope that through lifestyle changes, they could end up getting off medication and likely lowering their risk of diabetes-related complications," Reuters Health reports.1

The research,2 also featured by MedPage Today,3 demonstrates that diet and physical activity are the answer diabetics have been searching for, which is exactly what I've been teaching since I started this web site, 16 years ago.

It's worth noting that I do not at all agree with some of the dietary recommendations given to the participants in this study. For example, I believe including healthy saturated fats and avoiding processed liquid meal replacements would be a wise move.

I also believe following the dietary recommendations laid out in my free Nutrition Plan can provide far better results than those achieved in this study.

The researchers randomly assigned diabetic participants, who were also overweight or obese, to an intensive program of diet and exercise, in which they were urged to cut calories down to 1,200-1,800 calories per day and engage in nearly three hours of physical exercise per week.

After one year, 11.5 percent of the program participants no longer needed medication to keep their blood sugar levels below the diabetes threshold. Only two percent of the non-intervention group experienced any significant improvement in their condition.

Those who'd had been diagnosed with diabetes more recently saw greater blood sugar improvements on the program. Ditto for those who lost the most amount of weight and/or made the greatest progress in raising their fitness level. The lifestyle intervention group also managed to sustain their remission better over the following three years.

The subject of reversal, cure, or simply eliminating medications is constantly being contemplated by many, and preached by some. Is it wishful thinking, or is it reality? Maybe it is just the perception of some.Some can get off meds with diet and exercise. I don't know if all type 2s can accomplish this feat. I did for quite a few years, and you could say my diabetes was reversed, or in remission if you prefer. It appears that many overweight people, or obese people with diabetes, that lose weight appear to respond differently than those who are thin, or never had a serious weight problem like myself. I am sure that there are many factors that come into play and account for many differences in the way our bodies respond to this complex condition.I had eliminated all processed foods for the most part in my diet for many years. I followed many of the ideas mentioned by Dr. mercola. but my diet was mostly Atkins based with some modifications. I did strength training for 45 minutes up to 1 1/2 hours, three to four times a week. I did various forms of cardio, such as bicycling, treadmill, elipitical, and walking on alternate days. All this was done for many years! For quite a few years my diabetes remained extremely well managed and without meds. Eventually, I needed meds, and I say so what! My diabetes was still well managed. Now after almost 19 years with diabetes I am taking insulin, and again, I say so what, I have managed to avoid all complications to this point. I feel healthy, and I am enjoying life greatly.Here is my point. Whether you can reverse, cure, or simply manage your diabetes to a great degree, can only be determined with time. With knowledge, determination, and effort, you can manage your diabetes to the best of your ability and live a healthier and longer life than otherwise.

Thanks Gabby. I don't about others but I asure you that the best way to keep your diabetes in level is through diet and good worout. I was diognosed last year and since I didn't took a single pill. All I do is control my diet as hardly best I can and my levels are pretty good.

The only thing I disagree with here, and I'm pretty much a poster child of what Mercola is preaching, is the statement "The truth of the matter is that type 2 diabetes is a fully preventable condition". For many, if not most that is true, but I don't think it's true for everyone. We have several T2's here who by all accounts should not be diabetic.I agree that the initial push by some doctors toward insulin or medications can be detrimental to one's reversal (but may be necessary in some cases). What i would rather see among medical profesionals is a standard practice of x numbers of months trying diet adjustment and working the way up to meds if at all possible.

the only problem I can see with that is by standardizing a Physician's practice in regard to new PWDs does not take into account personal variability in the PWD's metabolism. Sometimes damage cannot be avoided if an inflexible "rule" is applied to all cases.

Oh, no, no, I agree with that James. If you present the first time with numbers in the 300’s (US) which is kind of borderline for hospitalization, then yes, meds might be necessary. I just don’t agree with automatically putting a pre-diabetic on Met straight away as a first course of treatment. Yes, it resolves the problem and gets the patient out of the office with no further education, but it may also serve as a giving a crutch to someone who might otherwise require only a cane temporarily. It doesn’t encourage changing the habit, and for some just gives them license to continue.

My friend from Milwaukee was Dx'd while I was there this past summer (at my request) and her Dr did not put her on any meds. He instructed her to go to the RD and the CDE in his clinic and even now 7 mos later she is still Diabetes medication free, and looks like that will continue for some time to come.

A friend of mine was just told she was diabetic , type 2 … No medicines prescribed … For now exercise , dietary changes and of course monitoring of blood glucose … If she can keep #'s to what her doctor finds acceptable she won't be put on any meds … When I first was told I was diabetic , doctor wanted to put me in hospital , I was in the high 500's … I was put on meds that very day … I am type 2 , still haven't taken my C-peptide test yet but doc really thinks my pancreas is not making any insulin making me insulin dependent … If I find that I'm still making insulin then I will do my best to get this affliction in remission though I've heard it's harder for long time diabetics …

I agree that a good part of diabetes management is in how much we are willing to learn and do ourselves to get a handle on this disease. By the decisions that we make or choose not to make, we can greatly impact our health. This is true for both Type 2's and Type 1's, and probably all of the other types too.

Thanks for sharing the article. You won't get any flak from me, because this is my experience also. I didn't use his particular system, though I have read it in its entirity. I had already found what works specifically for me before I encountered his website. Regardless, I have the same positive, medication free results, as do a number of others here on the site.

I really wish more people would try to optimize their health with diet and exercise or, if they need meds like I did in the beginning, to set a goal of working their diet and exercise program daily to be able to get off meds as soon as possible.

I really ike introduction of the word "remission" to this process. We recognize its validity with cancer and other serious illnesses. Perhaps its use here would will allow more people to consider the possibility of managing their own health without condeming themselves to a space where the focus is that a "cure is impossible." That may be true, but is probably also the most depressing aspect of diabetes to focus on and keeps many folks from moving 100% toward a more healthy life style because they see no hope of making real improvement.

That article I saw last night on Mercola., One thing he did not say is It is a CURE for Diabetes Mellitus (DM). I understand the difference between remission and cure, so I am not going to give you flack for this article reposting. I have saved it in my favorites file to review and to think about.

However as I told folks on another discussion yesterday, I perceive that the face of DM care is changing, especially for the newly Dx'd. My new friend SuzyQ was Dx'd with DM this summer when I was with her. Her Dr is rather on the youngish side and he did not push Met on her immediately as my Dr did me when first Dx'd. I was happy to see that.

That is encouraging that they are maybe giving more credence to the things we can change on our own. I know there is always going to be issues of non-compliance that may force meds on us, but we do have a choice and if we tell our doctors that we want to make those efforts to do it on our own first, then their support can mean a lot.